The new faces of sitcom

This Sunday, a new sitcom arrives at your doorstep – Fulhaus! Led by real-life sweethearts Vic Sotto and Pia Guanio, it combines the very Pinoy setup of “Daddy Di Do Du” with the Western sensibilities of sitcoms produced in the US. Here we meet the show’s three tricycle drivers who will surely liven up your Sunday evenings starting July 22 -- Sugar Mercado, Dax Martin and Jojo Bolado. Text by Jason John S. Lim. With an interview by KC M. Abalos. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. The Researcher Dax Martin is no stranger to entertaining people, but most TV viewers may still be unfamiliar with him. An expert in making people laugh with his performances in comedy bars, Dax also appeared in several episodes of Q Channel 11’s H3O. His fellow comedian (and now, co-star) Jose Manalo saw his potential and pushed for his inclusion in the new show. “I’m actually the last one to be cast,” Dax shares with a laugh. Piece of trivia: Dax is the only cast member to research his role. “Malayo ako sa role ko,” he notes. “Kaya nag-research ako. Nagmasid ako kung paano gumalaw ang mga tricycle drivers, paano sila manamit, lahat. Pati lines ko sa episode, pina-pattern ko sa pananalita nila. “Taga-Pampanga pa nga ‘yung tricycle driver na na-research ko. Doon kasi ako naka-base noong sinabihan ako na kasama ako sa show na ‘to,” Dax adds. The Accidental Comedienne This next cast member is already known to many, especially to followers of the long-time running noontime show Eat Bulaga: She’s none other than Sugar Mercado. She is also a tricycle driver in the program, but with a twist. Her character is a tomboy. “Mahirap nga po eh. Kasi sa totoong buhay boyish ako, pero kung manamit ako t-shirt at jeans lang. Dito, tomboy nga ako, pero sexy na tomboy,” Sugar notes. “Medyo hindi ako sanay na naka-spaghetti straps lang,” Sugar confides. “Kaya nga heto, dinoble ko ‘yung suot ko.” Having been out of sight for a time from TV, Sugar is grateful for being part of Fulhaus. “Masaya ako na nakasama ako sa show na ‘to,” she says proudly. “Masaya akong pinagkatiwalaan ulit ako nina Tsong Vic. Sabi nga nila sa akin, ‘Pagbutihin mo na.’” “Siyempre, hindi ko sila bibiguin,” she grins. As early as now, Sugar has already learned a very important lesson. “Iba ang pagpapatawa sa live audience, iba rin sa TV. Ang nakakatawa sa isa, pwedeng hindi nakakatawa sa show,” she says. From Extra to Supporting Yes, you’ve seen him before. Can’t place him? Try going back a few years, a decade even. Jojo Bolado’s last television project was the defunct Beh Bote Nga. “Isa ako sa mga kariton boys doon.” And what has Jojo been doing since then? “Actually, assistant director ako. Nag-a-assist ako sa iba-ibang shows, tapos tinawagan nila ako kung pwede ako sa show na ‘to,” he explains. Jojo added that he liked the concept of the show, so he joined the cast. On his return to the front of the camera, Jojo joked, “Abangan nila ‘yung manyakis. Hindi naman tumutulo ‘yung laway, pero manyak….Abangan nilang mag-drive ako ng motor!” Catch the new faces of Sunday Night comedy starting July 22 on Fulhaus, after All Star K! And talk about the new show at the iGMA forums!